Housing

died · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 26, 2026

SB 2035: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- ZONING ORDINANCES

SB 2035 requires that accessory dwelling units (ADUs) be allowed without special approval only if the property is owner-occupied and the owner has resided there for at least five years. This directly affects property owners seeking to build ADUs, as they must meet the 5-year residency requirement before ADUs can be permitted by right. The bill also sets uniform standards, including minimum size requirements (e.g., 900 sq. ft. for one-bedroom ADUs), prohibits excessive fees or discriminatory restrictions, and bans ADUs for short-term rentals. It ensures municipalities cannot impose additional lot requirements or restrict ADUs based on income unless part of specific affordable housing programs.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingImposes 5-year residency requirement on ADU construction, limiting housing development options and increasing barriers to affordable housing units.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Homeownership Zoning

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passed · Rhode Island · House Jun 9, 2026

HB 7374: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- ZONING ORDINANCES

Amends the zoning ordinances to allow the town to restrict occupancy to one unrelated person per bedroom in a dwelling, up to a five (5) bedroom unit. Units with more than five (5) bedrooms may be limited to five (5) unrelated persons per unit.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingRestricts occupancy to one unrelated person per bedroom, limiting shared housing affordability and increasing cost burdens.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Zoning

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 15, 2026

HB 7124: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- LOW AND MODERATE INCOME HOUSING

Allows the town of Tiverton, with an aggregate of 500 or more units proposed in a comprehensive permit project, to enact a short-term emergency moratorium until the permit laws are amended.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingBill allows a short-term moratorium on housing projects (500+ units), restricting development until permit laws are amended, limiting housing availability.85% confidence

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 7, 2026

HB 7446: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- LOW AND MODERATE INCOME HOUSING

Eliminates mandated housing densities/density bonuses for public drinking water supply watersheds/groundwater. Requires densities not exceed water availability, introduce pollution, stay within public water or sewer system capacity limits.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill restricts housing density to prevent water overuse and pollution, requiring compliance with water availability and pollution controls, aligning with environmental protection indicators.85% confidence ✗ HousingOpposes HousingEliminates density bonuses that incentivize affordable housing development, restricting new housing projects in water-sensitive areas per bill's focus on low/moderate income housing.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Water Quality Affordable Housing Zoning

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 15, 2026

HB 7294: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- LOW AND MODERATE INCOME HOUSING -- TIVERTON

Prohibits applications filed in the town of Tiverton, for comprehensive permit projects, for low- and moderate-income housing, to include accessory dwelling units.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingProhibits accessory dwelling units in low-income housing projects, restricting development options and limiting housing supply for affordable housing.95% confidence

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died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 30, 2026

SB 2121: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- LEAD HAZARD MITIGATION

Allows a landlord that did not obtain a lead certificate pursuant to the lead mitigation laws of chapter 128.1 of title 42 due to the fact that the state lacks the adequate resources to conduct inspections.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingPermits landlords to skip lead inspections due to state resource gaps, weakening tenant safety standards in housing.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords

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died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 2, 2026

SB 2274: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- LOW AND MODERATE INCOME HOUSING

Changes the residential limit for any substantial multi-family housing project not to exceed forty thousand (40,000) residents according to the United States Census Bureau.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingBill caps multi-family housing projects at 40k residents, restricting development scale and limiting housing supply.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing

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passed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 5, 2026

SB 2421: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- LOW AND MODERATE INCOME HOUSING

Prohibits contractors from submitting a single application to a local review board seeking a comprehensive permit for housing projects in certain circumstances.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingProhibits streamlined permitting for housing projects, likely slowing development of low/moderate income housing as required by title.85% confidence

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